PM promises 'family friendly' sitting hours

December 7 2002By Annabel CrabbCanberra

John Howard has promised, after years of pressure from sections of his back bench, to make parliament more "family friendly" by letting MPs finish work earlier.

Mr Howard's apparent capitulation this week surprised Coalition MPs and senators. Parent and doctors within Coalition ranks have lobbied for years to improve present sitting hours, which keep Parliament House working until 11pm.

He told them during Tuesday's party meeting that he had decided to review the sitting times for the next session, beginning on February 4.

Mal Washer, a doctor and WA Liberal backbencher, has agitated for years about the dangers of long sitting hours, such as illness, stress and family breakdown. He raised the matter again in the party room on Tuesday. "They all said - 'we wish you the best of British luck'," he recalls, pleased at the Prime Minister's unexpected agreement to review the system.

Former prime minister Paul Keating revolutionised the parliamentary sitting week in 1994, decreeing that the house would start its business earlier and sit no later than 8pm in an attempt to make the system easier for MPs with families.");document.write("

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But Mr Howard changed this on his election in 1996. The house now sits until 11pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 8pm on Wednesdays and 6pm on Thursdays.

"Lots of people would like to see that reduced back to 8pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 5pm on Thursdays," said Dr Washer, who wants the sessions to start earlier. Mr Howard has not indicated how far he is prepared to move. South Australian backbencher Barry Wakelin is believed to have suggested bringing the hours back to 10pm.